Michael DiBenedetto, a 51-year-old attorney from Arizona, was arrested by Tempe Police last week and charged with four felony counts after investigators allege he repeatedly invaded women's privacy by recording them through windows in their own homes.
Background
DiBenedetto has a prior conviction for similar conduct. In 2009, he was convicted of peeping tom charges in Illinois, according to court records. During that case, DiBenedetto claimed he was acting as a private investigator for clients going through divorce proceedings—an excuse he repeated when speaking to reporters outside Maricopa County Court on Monday.
The current investigation began when Tempe Police received reports of suspicious activity in residential neighborhoods. Detectives from the Criminal Apprehension and Surveillance Team (CAST) were brought in to track the suspect, whom investigators soon linked to DiBenedetto through his distinctive vehicle—a luxury Rivian SUV.
The Investigation
According to police, on June 18, DiBenedetto allegedly drove to a victim's home in his Rivian and parked nearby before climbing a fence to gain access to the backyard. He then approached a bathroom window where a woman was showering and held his iPhone up to record her, authorities allege. The victim reported seeing DiBenedetto outside her window before he fled the area.
Investigators later determined the same vehicle had been spotted near the victim's home on at least two other occasions. Detectives continued surveilling DiBenedetto and witnessed him enter another woman's backyard near Parkway Boulevard, where police say he began removing his pants and engaging in lewd acts while looking into a room where a female victim was undressing.
Officers moved in and arrested DiBenedetto, booking him into the Maricopa County Jail. He has been charged with four felony counts including burglary and voyeurism. Bail was set at $25,000.
The Charges
In Maricopa County Court on Monday, DiBenedetto chose to represent himself despite having a law degree. When questioned about his 2009 Illinois conviction, he offered an explanation that prosecutors have disputed.
"Regarding the 2009 incident, I was working for a client who … I am an attorney. I was doing divorce law at the time," DiBenedetto said. "I had a client that could not afford a private investigator and, essentially, I was doing that for them to save them some money."
Tempe Police Chief Ken McCoy addressed the severity of the alleged crimes in a statement: "Being watched or recorded without your knowledge is a profound invasion of privacy," he said. "We're proud of the coordinated work by our detectives and CAST members that quickly led to this arrest, and we encourage anyone with similar experiences or information related to this case to contact investigators."
Key Takeaways
- Michael DiBenedetto, 51, is an attorney facing four felony charges in Maricopa County Superior Court
- Police allege he used a luxury Rivian SUV to travel between victims' homes in Tempe neighborhoods
- He was convicted of similar peeping tom offenses in Illinois in 2009
- Investigators say he recorded at least one victim through her bathroom window while she showered
- Bail has been set at $25,000; DiBenedetto is representing himself in court
What's Next
DiBenedetto remains out on bail pending trial. Police are asking any additional victims who may have spotted his Rivian SUV near their homes to come forward. Investigators believe there could be more victims who have not yet reported incidents to authorities.
A preliminary hearing date has not yet been set, and prosecutors have indicated they may seek additional charges as the investigation continues.
Tempe police urged residents to remain vigilant and review home security measures given the pattern of alleged behavior.